HC Deb 22 July 1998 vol 316 cc586-8W
Mr. Gibb

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an analysis of the figures used under Accounting and other adjustments on page 107 of the Comprehensive Spending Review report in each of the years listed in Table A2. [51475]

Mr. Maude

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement explaining the component parts of the entry entitled Accounting and other adjustments in Table 2 of the Comprehensive Spending Review, Cm. 4011, for (i) 1998–99, (ii) 1999–2000, (iii) 2000–01 and (iv) 2001–02. [51734]

Mr. Darling

[holding answer 20 July 1998]: The table provides a breakdown of the accounting and other adjustments shown in table 2 and table A2 of the Comprehensive Spending Review, with accompanying brief explanatory notes.

(2) what are the figures for the number of staff in National Savings operational services who have taken (a) early retirement and (b) voluntary redundancy in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98; [51434]

(3) what proportion of staff in National Savings operational services were on (a) fixed-term contracts and (b) part-time contracts in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98; [51430]

(4) what was the number of full-time equivalent staff in National Savings operational services in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98; [51433]

(5) what level of reduction in staffing in National Savings operational services is included in the Business Process Re-engineering Plan; [51432]

(6) what is the timetable for implementation of the Business Process Re-engineering plan in National Savings. [51431]

Mrs. Liddell

[holding answers 20 July 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive for National Savings. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 22 July 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question 51439 about what assessment the Agency has made of the performance of EDS and Siemens Business Services in public sector outsourcing contracts. National Savings has gained a detailed knowledge of EDS and Siemens Business Services' performance in the areas of contractual compliance, behaviour towards transferring staff and business performance. In addition to financial and published analysis, NS has gained information from over 30 public sector organisations who are, or have been, receiving services from one or other of these companies. A wide range of private sector customers has also been approached, and CCTA have provided us with intelligence reports on both firms.

Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 22 July 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question 51434 about the number of staff in National Savings Operational Services who have taken early retirement and voluntary redundancy in 1995–96, 1996–97 Staff surpluses over the period 1995–96 to 1997–98 led to the release, on redundancy terms, of 735 individuals in total. The table below gives the figures for each year for the two relevant categories: early release and voluntary severance.

Early retirement (50 and over) Voluntary severance (under 50)
1995–96 268 317
1996–97 32 117
1997–98 1 0
Total 301 434

Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 22 July 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question 51430 about the proportion of staff in National Savings Operational Services on Fixed Term contracts and part-time contracts in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98. The number of staff in National Savings during thee periods were: Fixed Term Contracts

  • 1 April 1995: 1.1%
  • 1 April 1996: 1.8%
  • 1 April 1997: 2.0%
  • 1 April 1998: 1.7%
Casual Contracts
  • 1 April 1995: 2.2%
  • 1 April 1996: 0.2%
  • 1 April 1997: 0.8%
  • 1 April 1998: 1.1%
 In addition the total number of permanent staff employed on a part-time basis during these periods was:
  • 1 April 1995: 286 (6.1% of total full time equivalent staff)
  • 1 April 1996: 265 (6.8% of total full time equivalent staff)
  • 1 April 1997: 241 (6.7% of total full time equivalent staff)
  • 1 April 1998: 235 (6.8% of total full time equivalent staff).

Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 22 July 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question 51433 about the number of full time equivalent staff in National Savings Operational Services in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98. The number of full time equivalent staff in National Savings during these periods was:

  • 1 April 1995: 4,633
  • 1 April 1996: 3,876
  • 1 April 1997: 3,548
  • 1 April 1998: 3,450
these figures include full and part-time permanent staff, staff on Fixed Term Appointments and those employed on casual contracts.

Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 22 July 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question 51432 about the level of reduction in staffing in National Savings Operational Services included in the Business Re-engineering Plan. National Savings has an extensive programme of operational improvement, which will significantly reduce manpower needs over the next few years. The Business Process Re-engineering elements of the programme are expected to realise savings of some 800 posts.

Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 22 July 1998: I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question 51431 about the timetable for implementation of the Business Process Re-engineering plan in National Savings. Implementation of Business Process Re-engineering within National Savings is scheduled to begin in November 1998 and to be completed in the Year 2000.